PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

The concept of prevention is very general in all aspects of life. In dentistry it is mainly to create and maintain a healthy mouth. Two major causes of tooth loss in the United States are tooth decay and gum disease. The use of modern and advanced developments allows us to prevent and foresee many issues, which would otherwise become too costly for the patient. The subject of preventive dentistry is closely associated with the philosophy of the practitioner.
Prevention can start early on by proper education regarding oral hygiene and placement of sealants on primary and permanent dentition. These sealants must be placed by licensed dentists and or hygienists and no other staff member in my opinion. The recent American Dental Association research regarding sealant placement mentions that 4 handed dentistry (dentist and assistant) provides a far better outcome than just one person. Consequently a poorly placed sealant can turn into a possible root canal years later. All too often this is neglected because of the obvious limitations of insurance dentistry, which is the biggest boundary to providing maximum service to the patient and directly interfering with public health. When offices purposely over book to beat the profit margins, ....do you think that has no affect on the outcome of the state of the health of the tooth after poor treatment planning? A dentist who fails to plan properly is planning for failure. How would you like to be in a situation where there are 10-50 patients in one waiting room, poorly trained staff, and there is only one or two dentists in the facility .............and your loved one is getting a sealant, and or any other treatment for that matter? Mind you there are no regulatory agencies so chaos and lack of control will negatively influence and affect patient care directly. Forgot the recent Las Vegas syringe reuse scandal? The boundaries and limitations of insurers are the flaw of the system that creates this behavior. Same pattern is also seen in other parts of the society. Not my idea of  dentistry. PLEASANTSMILES does not believe in assembly dentistry.
 
Prevention goes on to take another shape in the adolescent years. It may be restoration of decay to prevent a further deterioration of the affected area. This would in turn prevent a worsening of the situation if untreated which can be costly and annoying. Continual education and habit formation is another aspect of prevention.

In the adult patient it would mean to restore what has not been restored and maintain a healthy situation. All in all the practitioner needs to foresee what the possible future problem may be and try to divert from that scenario. The most important fact about service is quality in my opinion. Quality in dentistry is directly related to practitioner fatigue. Quality is not only knowledge but also artistic hand skills. Patient education which takes time will only lead to understanding to accept nothing but to expect a higher care. This however my friends will not be possible in a dental factory.
Prevention?
For more detailed information regarding my philosophy the [About Us] link can be referred to.

Dr.Athari